~ Beaumes-de-Venise, 30.06.2021 ~

The village of Beaumes-de-Venise rests against the foothills of the Dentelles mountain range (itself the foothills of the Massif Central.)
A road leading out of town past a couple of villas winds uphill along the eastern edge of the rock.

Vinyards line the slopes and little valleys on the northern side of the ridge. On the horizon loom the rocky peaks of the Dentelles, farther yet in the distance the Mt. Ventoux.

After a short walk through the forest, the path terminates in the open sky, and a view of the entire Rhône valley opens up.

The ridge is narrow — perhaps a dozen metres wide – and lined with vines, leading down to the chapel of Saint Hilaire on its western end.

Built in the 6th century, it long lay in ruins until it was faithfully restored between 2012 and 2019 (but closed when I visited). A friendly old lady tended to the chapel's lofty little terraced garden.

Continued in part 2.